Border crossings: a look at the first day of travel as all checkpoints between Hong Kong and mainland China reopen, free from Covid restrictions
- City braces for an influx of visitors from up north as travel free of quarantine, quotas and Covid-19 tests resumes
- But analysts say a major bounce back for the economy may not come overnight, although business sentiment has brightened
Hong Kong welcomed an influx of visitors from across the border with mainland China on Monday as all checkpoints finally reopened, marking the full resumption of quarantine-free travel, without quotas and Covid-19 tests on either side.
Three land crossings closed to passengers for as long as three years reopened on Monday – Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau and Heung Yuen Wai.
Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau suspended passenger crossings since early 2020 and only a cargo clearance service was available at the Heung Yuen Wai control point after it started operations in August 2020.
The only people who still need negative results from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for the coronavirus are those who have spent time outside Hong Kong, the mainland or Macau in the seven days before they plan to cross the border.
Analysts have said that a full economic rebound may not come overnight after the reopening of the border, but business sentiment has turned more optimistic as normality resumes.
A case of déjà vu is expected at the Lo Wu control point, once the busiest checkpoint of the city, when it reopens its doors at 6.30am.
Reporting by Kahon Chan, Jess Ma, Emily Hung, Harvey Kong, Elizabeth Cheung, Oscar Liu and Ng Kang-chung